2014 Model Built in 2013?

[Kevin Madiso]

The original owners of my 2014 Airstream Interstate purchased it from Camper Clinic in Buda, Texas in June of 2013. On the VIN it shows 2013 but Airstream dealer told me this was a 2014 Airstream and the title and VIN relate to the year of the Mercedes chassis. I was also told that Airstream came out with a MID-YEAR 2014 Interstate that had a few more buttons and whistles like high def headlights. Is it true my Airstream Interstate really is a 2014 but was built in 2013 ona 2013 Mercedes chassis?

Thanks Guys,
Texas Judge

[AWCHIEF]

Yes

[Gnorts]

Actually, it may be a 2014 Interstate built on a 2013 Sprinter chassis. Not at all unusual. I owned a 2005 Airstream Westfalia that was built on a 2004 Sprinter chassis. The RV conversion companies buy chassis in lots from the manufacturer. They may still have some of last year's chassis in the pipeline when their model year makes its debut. It's common in the RV business. Nothing to be concerned about. In fact, the present Airstream we have is titled as a 2012, but it's got the 80th anniversary badges, which went with the 2011 model year. It's still a cottage industry, after all...

If your bill of sale says your rig's a 2014, than by golly that's what it is, regardless of what the VIN indicates.

[InsideOut]

Just like cars...the model year is about 6 months ahead of the calendar year.

Shari

[UKDUDE]

If you have the Magnum Inverter/Charger and the legless awning, then you have a 2014 Interstate.
The 2014.5 Interstate incorporated the upgrades you mentioned from Mercedes Benz, plus some minor Airstream changes such as a wood plank effect flooring.
Peter

[Jeff64]

I believe you have a 2013 Airstream unless your title from Airstream says it's a 2014. That's the way it was explained to me. I ordered mine in July 2013 and picked it up in August, supposedly it was one of the first 2014 models. It is on a 2013 Mercedes chassis but is titled as a 2014 Interstate. The title is issued by Airstream not Mercedes.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Jeff64

I believe you have a 2013 Airstream unless your title from Airstream says it's a 2014. That's the way it was explained to me. I ordered mine in July 2013 and picked it up in August, supposedly it was one of the first 2014 models. It is on a 2013 Mercedes chassis but is titled as a 2014 Interstate. The title is issued by Airstream not Mercedes.

The title is issued by the state you registered it in (sorry, can't help being pedantic). The vehicle comes with TWO "manufacturer's certificates of origin."

One is from Mercedes, and shows the VIN that's on the windshield. If you care to decode the VIN it will tell you what model year the van was.

The other is from Airstream, and includes a separate VIN number that you may never see on your Airstream unless you go exploring nooks and crannies to find it.

When you register the vehicle, the smart way (hopefully you get a smart clerk at the DMV) is to use all of the information from the Airstream certificate of origin, EXCEPT that it lists the Mercedes VIN. After all, if you're ever involved in an accident, or it's stolen, or whatever, law enforcement, insurance adjusters, etc. will look for the VIN on the windshield, and you want that VIN to match what's on the title/resistration, else you may be unable to legally prove that the van is actually yours.

[Melody Ranch]

My 1955 Safari was built in 1954.

[msmcv51]

Our 87 Sovereign came off the line October 23, 1986.

[markdoane]

I wanna know more about the High Def headlights. Do they require special glasses?

[73shark]

Originally Posted by markdoane

I wanna know more about the High Def headlights. Do they require special glasses?

Only if you want to see everything at 1080p. Otherwise it will appear as 480i.

FWIW, mine is a 2011 on a 2010 chassis.

[Jeff64]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

The title is issued by the state you registered it in (sorry, can't help being pedantic). The vehicle comes with TWO "manufacturer's certificates of origin."

One is from Mercedes, and shows the VIN that's on the windshield. If you care to decode the VIN it will tell you what model year the van was.

The other is from Airstream, and includes a separate VIN number that you may never see on your Airstream unless you go exploring nooks and crannies to find it.

When you register the vehicle, the smart way (hopefully you get a smart clerk at the DMV) is to use all of the information from the Airstream certificate of origin, EXCEPT that it lists the Mercedes VIN. After all, if you're ever involved in an accident, or it's stolen, or whatever, law enforcement, insurance adjusters, etc. will look for the VIN on the windshield, and you want that VIN to match what's on the title/resistration, else you may be unable to legally prove that the van is actually yours.

I should have clarified.. The manufacturer in this case "Airstream" issues the manufacturers certificate of origin and that is the document that determines the year of the vehicle. That document along with the title app from the dealer goes to the DMV who issues the title based on the information off the certificate of origin. At least that is the process here in Missouri. I was concerned about what year mine would show on the registration since it was on a 2013 chassis and this is how the Airstream dealer explained it to me.

[Sebtown]

My Airstream Interstate is registered as a 2007 eventhough it has a bullet proof T1N I5 engine and a single hood vent which went out of production the year before! The Travato makes my old sprinter look new again.